By Mark Janzen /
It’s been quite the turnaround season for Alberni Valley.
The Bulldogs have gone from worst to first in one season and a large reason is the success they’ve had in bringing in quality imports.
Alberni Valley currently have eight imports on their roster – the most in the conference – and have all but wrapped up first place.
So with imports playing such a major role on the conference’s best team, we take a look at how import players are impacting the rest of the Coastal clubs.
Alberni Valley
The Bulldogs have four imports in their top eight point-getters led by forwards David Dziurzynski (Lloydminster, Alta.) and Tye Lewis (Vancouver, WA). The two 20-year-olds have 60 and 57 points respectively. Rookie forwards Casey Bailey (Anchorage, AK) and Matt Hatch (Massena, NY) have also made an immediate offensive impact. Defencemen Frank Riddle (St. Catharines, Ont.), Nick Cecere (West Des Moines, IA) and Jeff Reppucci (Newburyport, MA), the latter of which was added in December, have all been integral parts in the Bulldogs surge to the top. Goalie Scott Lewan (Westland, MI) has been a perfect backup for Frank Slubowski.
Burnaby
Forward Rich Manley (Buffalo, NY) returned to the Express after a year bouncing around in the USHL and NAHL. He has 44 points in 44 games and is second in team scoring. Defenceman Jimmy Geerin (Anchorage, AK), with 22 points in 43 games, is leading the Burnaby blueline in scoring. Colby Kulhanek (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) was picked up from the Sherwood Park Crusaders midway through the year and has been a quality addition while forwards Lane Menage (Innisfail, Alta.) who was added at the Jan. 10 deadline from Camrose and Michael Mackie-Kwist (Cleveland, OH), who made the jump from Jr. B Squamish, have both become regulars.
Cowichan Valley
The Capitals have two forward imports and two defenceman imports and all of them are rookies. Forwards Joel Kern (New Orleans, LA) and Brendon MacDonald (Calgary, Alta.) are slowly learning the ropes. Kern only has one goal but does have 15 assists while MacDonald has only six points in 47 games. Defenceman Alex Halloran (Salt Lake City, UT) and Brett Apted (St. Louis, MO) have been steady but not spectacular.
Langley
The Chiefs don’t rely on import skaters, but between the pipes is a different story. Starter Mark Friesen (Calgary, Alta.) has gone 13-3 this year while Wyatt Galley (Ottawa, Ont.) is 1-1. Forwards Josh Myers (Colorado Springs, CO) has 38 points in 40 games, Jordan Sims (Fort Wayne, IN) has 23 points in 48 games and Brad McBride (Denver, CO) has 16 points in 30 games. The lone defensive import, Kevin Tuohy, has 18 points in 46 games.
Nanaimo
Forward Luc Olivier Blain (Longueuil, PQ) is the only import in the conference, leading his team in scoring. Blain has 47 points this year for the Clippers and is leading a distinct French connection in Nanaimo. Defenceman Nicholas McIntyre (Dollard Des Ormeaux, PQ), forwards Mike Domsodi (Kirkland, PQ) and Zach Martin (Pointe-Claire, PQ) and goalie Loic Boivin (McMasterville, PQ) are all from Quebec. Goalie Rhys Hadfiedl (Edmonton, Alta.) is the only import not from Quebec.
Powell River
Rookie 19-year-old forward Matt Garbowsky (St. George, Ont.) has been the go-to import this year for the Kings. He’s averaging nearly a point a game through 39 games and has been a valuable member up front. Defenceman Justin Dasilva (Cambridge, Ont.) and Klay Kachur (Lanigan, SK) have played key minutes at times this year for a Kings team that is almost unbeatable at home. Goalie Josh Watson (Latitz, PA) has been the Kings MVP at times and his 2.17 GAA is tops in the conference. Forwards Daniel Carr (Leduc, Alta.) and Cody Rainaldi (Hinton, Alta.) are the other two imports.
Surrey
For the Eagles, it’s all about homegrown talent. The only import on the Shane Kuss-coached bunch is forward Erik Cooper. The 18-year-old has just six points in 43 games and 20 penalty minutes.
Victoria
Since the Grizzlies added Ryan Holfeld (Leroy, Sask.) in late November, he has the best save percentage (.922) in the conference and has a 13-6 record. After Holfeld, the Grizzlies have a bevy of imports making significant contributions including Joel Lowry (Calgary, Alta.), Brad Pawlowski (Marathon, Ont.), Derek Bacon (Calgary, Alta.), Spencer Copp (Calgary, Alta.), Dylan Nowakowski (Calgary, Alta.) and Graeme McCormack (Thunder Bay, Ont.). |